Consider the Oregon Oak

Vast and strong 

Upright 
yet yielding 

She rises 
Branches turning 

This way and that 

Finding her bearings 

Home to Lichen 
Bees 
Birds and squirrels 

A myriad of insects 

Her wisdom
Encompasses more time

Than any of those
Observing her can match

She strides the hillside
Motionless and in motion

The wind sings
through her extremities

Sending her tiny children
and leaves

Tumbling to earth
in a cascade of life giving
bounty

Is her speechlessness
confounding?

Is her solid form a sign
of inferiority?

Or is she
Like God herself

Standing erect
and watchful on the land?